July is proving itself to be quite the month of bustling events, screenings, musical performances and comedy shows.  We’re happy to help you navigate. Our faithful intern Freddie is back with three more free events that will impress even the thriftiest of New Yorkers.

Friday July 12th

From The Projects to the Pages of Rolling Stone: Charles Bradley: Soul of America
Kraine Theater at 6:00 PM
Ticket: $8

This documentary caused waves in the music world upon its world premiere at South By Southwest. It has been showing at many of the top film festivals around the world, and now Charles Bradley: Soul of America is finally coming to NYC.  The film follows singer Charles Bradley during the electrifying and transformative months leading up to the release of his debut album "No Time for Dreaming” at the ripe old age of 62.

Venus & Serena
The Maysles Cinema at 7:30 PM
Ticket: $10

Venus and Serena Williams are, without a doubt, two of the most influential female athletes in recent history. The controversial pair have inspired awe and admiration in light of their physical gifts, but their strong personalities have invited criticism and even hatred.  Certainly they have has their share of hardships. This doc follows the sisters over the course of 2011, when both women faced health issues and emotional challenges.  Ultimately, they find their strength in one another and prove that nothing can hold them back for long. 

Krief (The Drears), My Pet Dragon, Old Monk
The Bowery Electric at 7:30 PM
Ticket: $10

Boogie on down to the Bowery Electric to see Krief, fresh off the release of his debut album, perform live with Brooklyn’s own My Pet Dragon and Old Monk. This is an awesome opportunity to see three artists/bands on the rise at this popular venue.

Saturday July 13th

Dracula with the Philip Glass Ensemble / Kishi Bashi
Prospect Park Bandshell at 7:30 PM
Ticket: FREE

You’ve never seen Dracula like this before. The famed Philip Glass Ensemble will perform the original score of the 1931 Bela Lugosi classic, Dracula, for free. Still not tempted to leave your apartment? Acclaimed violinist and singer Kishi Bashi, a frequent collaborator of Regina’s Spektor, will play a special opening set. 

The Filmshop presents: Kill Your Darlings
Music Hall of Williamsburg at 8:00 PM
Ticket: $12

The theme of Filmshop’s 8th Bi-annual celebration of film is Kill Your Darlings. The program will take audiences on a cinematic journey through interpretations of classic forms of artistic expression. The film starts at 9:15, but come early to groove along with the sweet sounds of H.P. Public Library.  More live music to follow after the screening, so the fun never ends!

The 90’s One Hit Wonders Sing-Along
Union Hall at 10:00 PM
Ticket: $8

Relive your youth at Union Hall this Saturday, and belt along with some of the greatest 90’s One-Hit Wonders. Admit that you were (or are, let’s face it) a fan of Vanilla Ice, Chumbawumba, Lou Bega, New Radicals, or Deep Right Said Fred and join others who share the same guilty pleasures.

Sunday July 14th

Bastille Day on 60th Street
Between Fifth and Lexington Ave at 12:00 PM
Ticket: FREE

Celebrate Bastille Day with crêpes, éclairs, and fromages on 60th street, complete with live music and wonderful refreshments of the alcoholic kind at New York City’s premiere French summer fête.  Don’t hesitate to bring the family—there will be crafts, games, treats, and facepainting for the kids to enjoy!

Reds
Museum of the Moving Image at 2:00PM
Ticket: FREE with price of museum admission

Clocking in at a little over 3 hours, Warren Beatty’s Oscar-winning Reds is being shown on the big screen in 35 mm. Based on a true story, the film has Beatty playing an American journalist, John Reed, caught up in the Russian Revolution. Reds is one of the last major epics made in the classic Hollywood mold and represents melodrama at its finest. Diane Keaton also stars as journalist Louise Bryant in one of her most accomplished performances. Don’t miss this rare opportunity.

MP3 Experiment Ten
Location TBD near South Street Seaport at 3:00 PM or 7:00PM
Ticket: FREE

Blending technology and improv, the Mp3 Experiment is a participatory public event created by Improv Everywhere. People who want to get in on the action must download an original mp3 file, sync their mobile phone clocks with an atomic clock, gather in a public place with their headphones, and act out the instructions of the mysterious “Steve” in public as passersby look on in shock. Hilarity will naturally ensue.  

Waaaarrrrrriiiorsss, come out and pla-a-ay

Freddie’s Free Pick Three

NYC Come Out & Play 2013
Friday, July 12 & Saturday, July 13
Various times & places around the city

This thing is just awesome. Do you miss the absurdity of field day, college, camp, or whatever point in your life that any random activity could be turned into sport and taken way too seriously? This festival consists of three events: After Dark (South Street Seaport, 19 Fulton Street, July 12 from 7 PM to the wee hours), Field Day (Governors Island, Parade Ground Field, July 13 from 11 AM to 5 PM), and Family Day (Governors Island, July 13 from 11 AM to 4 PM). I could try to list the various games, but there are around thirty and few of them even resemble an established sport. If the weather is nice, scrap the gym, put on a headband, and live a little.

Rock ‘em Sock ‘em 10th Year Anniversary Party
Friday, July 12
Otto's Shrunken Head from 10PM-4AM

A bunch of cool, crazy artists that most of us have never heard of come together to perform at Otto’s (538 E. 14th Street, New York). Live bands and various DJ’s will play “new and classic favorites in 80's/Electro/Indie/Punk-funk/Geek Rock” As well. After a long week at work, we all want to go nuts … and get to bed eventually. Why not start the raging at 10PM and go until you peter out.

The Ghetto Brothers / Screening: From Mambo to Hip Hop: A South Bronx Tale
Saturday, July 13
Crotona Park from 7:00 p.m.–9:30 p.m.

I have to admit it, not a huge hip-hop fan. That being said, it’s impossible to have grown up the past 21 years listening to music without being surrounded by hip-hop and witnessing its evolution, or “death” as Nas would have you believe. This event is cool because it combines a documentary screening with a concert. The film explores the rise of Hip-Hop in the South Bronx, following Ghetto Brothers who represent what Hip-Hop meant to the community during the late 60’s and early 70s. Their sound is incredibly different than what you find on the iTunes Hip-Hop Top 10, but that is what makes the trip to Crotona even more worth it.

If you have any suggestions, recommendations, or comments, feel free to send them to freddietheintern@gmail.com.